Cody Rhodes encountered a significant defeat during the Men’s Elimination Chamber match ahead of WWE WrestleMania 42. Randy Orton secured the victory after hitting Rhodes with an RKO, aided by interference from Drew McIntyre. Following this, McIntyre was set to defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against Rhodes on the upcoming episode of SmackDown, as announced by Nick Aldis.
Proposal for Rhodes’ Character Shift at WrestleMania
During his Notsam Wrestling podcast, Sam Roberts suggested a major change for Rhodes’ character, recommending a heel turn at WrestleMania. Roberts emphasized the impact of such a change, stating,
“I think, if it were up to me right now, I end night one of WrestleMania with Cody Rhodes retaining the WWE Championship against Randy Orton and Cody turning heel at WrestleMania. I think that’s where I go.”
– Sam Roberts, Podcaster
He acknowledged Rhodes’ long-standing role as a top babyface since WrestleMania 38 and the potential fresh energy a heel turn could bring, explaining,
“Cody returned at WrestleMania 38 as the biggest babyface in the world, and it took him all the way to 39 to 40 to 41. Four years of this massive babyface run that’s as effective as anything has ever been.”
– Sam Roberts, Podcaster
Roberts also outlined a motivation for Rhodes as a villain, pointing out the significance of stopping Randy Orton from tying John Cena’s all-time championship record:
“I think WWE getting a shot in the arm of like, ‘Whoa, foundationally things have changed.’ And here’s Cody’s motivation as a heel if this the way you go – it’s, ‘You need me. You need me to be the champion. You need me to QB1. And you can’t have Randy Orton as a 15-time champion.’
– Sam Roberts, Podcaster
He warned that an Orton victory would bring him closer to Cena’s record, making the stakes for WrestleMania even higher:
“The idea that Randy Orton goes into WrestleMania and he might become 15-time champion – if Randy Orton becomes 15-time champion, then Randy Orton at least tying John Cena’s record at 17 becomes feasible. The difference between 14 and 17 seems like a lot. The difference between 15 and 17 seems attainable.”
– Sam Roberts, Podcaster
Expectations for Upcoming SmackDown and WrestleMania Matchups
Sam Roberts further expressed his desire for Rhodes to capture the world championship from McIntyre on the forthcoming SmackDown, setting up a high-profile clash with Randy Orton at WrestleMania. He detailed his vision of the audience reaction and match dynamics:
“I think that’s what being a 15-time champion would do for Randy Orton. It would make it seem like, ‘Man, even if I lose this at some point, I might be able to get John Cena’s record.’ And if he goes into WrestleMania and he makes that clear, and he knows that while he’s not leaving any time soon, he doesn’t have all time in the world to accomplish this goal – and Cody doesn’t let him have it.
I think they’ll already be cheering Randy Orton when we go into WrestleMania. I think there’ll be respect for Cody Rhodes, I think they’ll be cheering Randy Orton. And I think Cody taking that personally (sic). I want Cody vs Randy, I want Cody to beat Drew McIntyre on Friday. [And] I want Jacob to be involved. I want Cody vs Randy – because these are great matches. Cody vs Randy. Drew vs Jacob. Seth vs Logan Paul. Roman vs Punk. Liv vs Stephanie. AJ vs Becky rematch. Rhea vs Jade. Yeah, I’m feeling that right now.”
– Sam Roberts, Podcaster
This lineup reflects a strong roster of anticipated matches for WrestleMania and ongoing shows.
Background on Randy Orton’s Wrestling Legacy
Randy Orton carries a rich wrestling heritage as a third-generation competitor. His grandfather Bob Orton Sr., father “Cowboy” Bob Orton, and uncle Barry Orton all made their marks in professional wrestling, adding depth to Orton’s narrative as he approaches a historic championship milestone.
Impact of Rhodes’ Proposed Heel Turn and What It Means for WWE
Turning Cody Rhodes heel at WrestleMania would mark a significant shift in WWE storytelling and character arcs, injecting urgency into the championship storyline. Rhodes’ transition from the most prominent babyface into a calculating antagonist could revitalize audience interest and create fresh narrative tensions, especially with Randy Orton’s pursuit of championship records.
This development could elevate the significance of WrestleMania 42, confirming its place as a pivotal event shaping WWE’s future direction. Fans and insiders alike are watching closely to see how Rhodes’ storyline evolves on SmackDown and unfolds on wrestling’s biggest stage.
